Chapter 201
Ellie's POV
I dropped my bag onto the floor the moment I stepped inside.
"I was at the library all night."
Dominic didn't move.
"The library."
It wasn't a question. It was a statement filled with disbelief.
"Yep." I started toward the stairs. "Now, if you don't mind—"
"Ellie."
His voice stopped me.
Before I could take another step, Dominic moved in front of the staircase, blocking my path with his broad frame. His expression was tense, his jaw tight.
"We need to talk about this," he said. "Don't you think this has gone on long enough?"
I looked up at him, studying his face.
He was angry. Not just irritated—angry. I could see it in the way his eyes narrowed, the way his shoulders held tension.
He was furious that I hadn't come home last night.
And even though I was telling the truth, he clearly didn't believe a word of it.
"It was an accident," I said.
His expression hardened.
"Right. Just like the stabbing was an accident."
I pressed my lips together.
There it was.
The reminder he always came back to.
The thing neither of us could forget.
"Where were you really?" he asked, stepping closer. "Were you with someone?"
His eyes narrowed.
"Lucas, maybe?"
I blinked at him.
"Seriously?"
"Just answer the question."
"You know that ship has sailed, Dominic."
His jaw clenched.
"So you really were just avoiding me all night."
"I really did fall asleep," I replied. "Besides, why do you even care? It's not like we're actually together—"
"You're still my wife, Ellie."
His hand lifted slightly, gesturing toward my neck.
"And in case you've forgotten, you still bear my mark."
My eyes flashed.
"Does that mean you own me?"
His expression immediately changed.
"What?"
"No, of course not!" he snapped, frustrated.
Dominic dragged a hand through his hair before letting it fall back to his side.
"Ellie, I know you're angry with me. I know you don't want to forgive me right now. But I'm still allowed to care about you."
His voice softened slightly.
"I'm still allowed to worry when my wife disappears for an entire night."
I looked away.
"Besides, as far as everyone else is concerned, we are still together. Traditionally. Publicly. You can't just avoid me forever."
A bitter thought crossed my mind.
Good.
Let people start asking questions.
Maybe then Dominic would finally get tired of this and end it.
"Well," I said calmly, "if you don't like it, then—"
"I should divorce you."
The words stopped me.
My eyes widened slightly.
For a brief moment, something dangerously close to hope sparked inside my chest.
But along with it came an unexpected ache.
I hated that the idea of him leaving hurt.
I hated that some part of me still cared.
I waited.
I waited for him to say it.
To finally end this.
But he didn't.
Instead, Dominic watched me carefully.
"That's what you want me to say, isn't it?"
I didn't answer.
"That I'm done with you? Is your behavior lately enough for me to walk away?"
My mouth opened, but no words came.
He continued.
"Well, I'm not doing that, Ellie."
His voice was firm.
"You can act like a brat all you want, but I'm not divorcing you because of this."
A pause.
"I'm not divorcing you at all."
Silence filled the room.
For one small second, relief tried to creep in.
But I shoved it down immediately.
Because after everything I had done to push him away, he was still refusing to let go.
"Of course you won't," I muttered, looking away.
Dominic frowned.
"Because you want to keep me trapped here until I die."
His expression fell slightly.
"Ellie..."
He sighed.
"Please. Tell me what's really going on."
Before I could respond, the front door opened.
Marcus stepped inside, immediately noticing the tension between us. Whether he was oblivious or simply smart enough not to comment, I wasn't sure.
He gave us both a polite nod.
"Alpha. Luna."
His gaze shifted between us.
"I just wanted to remind you about tonight's gala."
Dominic froze.
"Oh, shit."
He rubbed a hand over his face.
"I forgot about that."
Then he looked at me.
"Ellie, we both have to attend the charity gala tonight. It's being held in the neighboring territory."
"Dominic—"
"No buts."
His tone was final.
"You signed the contract. It states that you are required to attend public events by my side."
He raised an eyebrow.
"And I know you know how to read, despite what you claimed during yesterday's meeting, so don't try to use that excuse."
I hated that he was right.
I had been hoping we could finish this fight before it came to this.
"Fine," I said quietly.
Dominic exhaled.
"Thank you."
He glanced toward Marcus.
"I have other things to handle. Marcus will drive you there."
Then his eyes returned to me.
"Put on something nice."
A pause.
"For me?"
I pressed my tongue against the inside of my cheek.
Even now, he knew exactly how to annoy me.
But I nodded.
This time, Dominic didn't stop me as I walked upstairs.
I was exhausted.
Spending an entire night asleep on a library table was not exactly restful, and the second I reached my room, I stripped off my clothes and collapsed onto the bed.
I slept until the afternoon.
That alone was unusual.
But apparently, my body had needed it.
By the time I ate, showered, and got ready, it was almost time to leave.
Dominic's words echoed in my mind.
"Put on something nice. For me."
My eyes drifted toward one of my favorite dresses hanging in the closet.
A sleek black gown.
The one I knew he liked.
For a moment, I almost reached for it.
Because despite everything, some small part of me still wanted to see his reaction.
Still wanted to make him look at me.
Still wanted to feel beautiful in his eyes.
But I stopped myself.
I wasn't doing that anymore.
I wasn't living to please Dominic.
Not anymore.
So instead, I chose the worst outfit I could find.
A loose pencil skirt that didn't fit properly.
A plaid flannel shirt that looked completely out of place.
I left it open over a lace crop top underneath.
Then I replaced elegant heels with sneakers.
No makeup.
Barely brushed hair.
When I looked in the mirror, I almost laughed.
I looked like I had just walked out of a college dorm room.
Not like I was attending a formal gala.
Perfect.
There was no way Dominic would let me enter the venue looking like this.
Exactly what I wanted.
Marcus was waiting outside by the car.
The moment he saw me, he froze.
"Luna... are you sure—"
"Lovely night, isn't it, Marcus?"
I smiled sweetly.
He stared at me for another second.
Then, apparently deciding it was safer not to comment, he opened the door.
I climbed inside without another word.
The drive was quiet.
Thankfully, it wasn't long.
Soon, we arrived at the neighboring territory's gala venue.
Luxury cars filled the entrance.
Men in perfectly tailored tuxedos and women in stunning evening gowns walked inside.
Everyone looked polished.
Elegant.
Expensive.
And then there was me.
Dominic stood near the entrance waiting.
He wore a suit I had never seen before.
Of course, he looked incredible.
Because apparently the universe enjoyed making things difficult for me.
I hated that I noticed.
The second I stepped out of the car, I slammed the door harder than necessary.
Several guests turned.
Whispers immediately started.
I ignored them.
Dominic didn't.
He was completely frozen.
His eyes moved over my outfit, his expression unreadable.
I walked toward him, pretending I didn't notice the shock on his face.
And for the first time that evening, I wondered if maybe I had finally managed to surprise him.